February 15, 2014 - Echo Lake

Title: February 15, 2014 - Echo Lake

Trail head: Echo Lake Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Snow Shoeing, Cross-Country Skiing

Trail: Echo Lake loop, CO

Distance:  2.03

Start Time: 3:30

End Time:  5:44

Travel Time: 3:14 (0.63 mph)

Moving Time: 1:09 (1.76 mph)

Elevation Rise: 388

Maximum Elevation:  10,727'

Description:
The California group: Gary, Sherri, Andrea, Steven, and Rachel, flew into Denver in the morning and got to my brother David's a little after noon. After a bite of lunch we all took off, except for Rachel, to REI to rent skis for Steven. Then David drove us up to Idaho Springs where we took off on the road to Mt Evans. Going up about eleven miles we came to the Echo Lake turnout.

Unlike California, there was snow on the ground. The loop around the lake was pretty well packed, making for easy snowshoeing and skiing. Andrea, Steven, and David ski'd while Sherri and I tagged along and snowshoe'd. The temperature is in the mid-30's, but when we are not in the trees, there is a wind blowing, chilling us.  But as we move, we warm up.

We wandered around the shore for a ways. Nice easy time. David takes us back always towards the Chicago Creek area-not far that way. The skiers in the group take a few runs while Sherri and I trudge up to where they are then go down. In the packed snow, we do pretty good, but when we go off into the powder, I sink to my knees, even in a big set of snowshoes. But still a lot of fun.

We continue on around the lake to the closed for the season Echo Lake Lodge. We stand around for a few minutes, in the wind, and then decide we have had a good time today so it probably is better to go back. So we make good time going back around the lake to the car.

When we get back, I do about 10 minutes on Steven's skies. Fun. I got the first butt-plant of the group. Get back to Denver and David fixes us fish taco's. We watch the Olympics-I nod off during the commercials. Good first day. But no pictures. All of us forgot our cameras. But in a way, that is good. It is fun just being in the snow for its own, rather than always looking around for a shot.